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Rafael Nadal made his post-match interview with Channel 7's Jim Courier much more awkward than it needed to be when the American tennis great brought up the subject of the Spanish champion's long term girlfriend Xisca Perello.

Nadal was obviously excited after having to fight hard to make it past freakish Frenchman Gael Monfils in the fourth round.

The 30-year-old was seemingly having a crack at some light-hearted banter with Courier when he described Perello's first appearance at Melbourne Park as gaining a "wildcard" into the Australian Open.

When Courier asked why Perello, who has been with Nadal for 10 years, is not a main-draw certainty for the Australian Open, Nadal could only blush and try to shut the interview down.

Here's how it all happened:Jim Courier: This is also the first time that you've brought your girlfriend Xisca down to Australia if I'm not mistaken. Is that right? How has that been for you to have her with you here? Have you guys been having some fun here in Australia as well?

Rafael Nadal: Yes it was great. The negative thing is that I lost in the quarter-finals in Brisbane, but the good thing is that I had the chance to visit Sydney and I hadn't been there before. I was [sic] knowing a little bit of Sydney and we enjoyed it. And now finally after 10 years my girlfriend gets a wildcard to come here.

JC: A wildcard? I'm speechless. That's a wildcard? She's not a main draw player? She needs a special entry?